Just because you don't remember them doesn't mean that nobody does. The F-15 Strike Eagle series, for instance, was a huge success at the time, as was F-19 Stealth Fighter.
> Sword of the Samurai (haven't played it) looks like an adaptation of Samurai an Avalon Hill
Actually, no; Sword is much more like Pirates!, in that it's essentially a collection of themed minigames, tied together by a strategic overlay. Covert Action has a similar design. The three of them are all variations on a theme, more similar to each other than to any external inspiration.
Sword and Covert Action are both available via GOG these days, should you want to confirm this.
> Sword of the Samurai (haven't played it) looks like an adaptation of Samurai an Avalon Hill
Actually, no; Sword is much more like Pirates!, in that it's essentially a collection of themed minigames, tied together by a strategic overlay. Covert Action has a similar design. The three of them are all variations on a theme, more similar to each other than to any external inspiration.
Sword and Covert Action are both available via GOG these days, should you want to confirm this.